Regular Council

Monday, January 27, 2025

Immediately following the Public Hearing scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Council Chamber, Second Floor & Zoom

New Westminster City Hall, 511 Royal Avenue

We recognize and respect that New Westminster is on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halkomelem speaking peoples. We acknowledge that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land. As a City, we are learning and building relationships with the people whose lands we are on.

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1.

CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2.

AGENDA ADDITIONS & DELETIONS

• Recommendation

  THAT the Agenda for the January 27, 2025 Regular Council meeting be approved.

3.

BYLAWS CONSIDERED AT PUBLIC HEARING

3.1

Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7925, 2017, Amendment Bylaw (1135 Salter Street) No. 8454, 2024

To amend the land use designation and to put the site in a Development Permit Area to facilitate townhouses and parkspace.

• Recommendation

  THAT Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7925, 2017, Amendment Bylaw (1135 Salter Street) No. 8454, 2024 be given third reading.

3.2

Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Amendment Bylaw (1135 Salter Street) No. 8455, 2024

To rezone the subject site to facilitate a 45-unit townhouse development and a dedicated parkspace.

• Recommendation

  THAT Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Amendment Bylaw (1135 Salter Street) No. 8455, 2024 be given third reading.

3.3

Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7925, 2017, Amendment Bylaw (1084 Tanaka Court) No. 8483, 2024

To amend the Official Community Plan land use designation for the subject site from Queensborough Commercial to Queensborough Mixed Employment.

• Recommendation

  THAT Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7925, 2017, Amendment Bylaw (1084 Tanaka Court) No. 8483, 2024 be given third reading.

3.4

Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Amendment Bylaw (1084 Tanaka Court) No. 8484, 2024

To rezone the subject site from Comprehensive Development District (1084 Tanaka Court) (CD-82) to Light Industrial Districts (M-1). 

• Recommendation

  THAT Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Amendment Bylaw (1084 Tanaka Court) No. 8484, 2024 be given third reading.

4.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Recommendation

  THAT Items No. ___ through ___ be adopted by general consent.

4.1

Minutes

• Recommendation

  THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on January 13, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

4.2

2024 Seven Bold Steps and Environment Progress Report

To provide an update on the Seven Bold Steps and Environment Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) endorsed by Council on July 12, 2021, and to seek approval to continue with delivery of a public facing online dashboard to share progress on the Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT the 2024 Seven Bold Steps and Environment Progress Report, dated January 27, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer be received for information.
  2. THAT staff continue to advance the Seven Bold Steps and Environment Progress Report project towards delivery of a public facing online dashboard to share progress on the Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action.

4.3

Budget 2025: 2025 – 2029 Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw

To request Council give first, second, and third readings to the Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw for the years 2025 – 2029.

• Recommendation

  THAT Five-Year Financial Plan (2025-2029) Bylaw No. 8501, 2025 be introduced and given first, second, and third readings.

4.4

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: 651 Carnarvon Street (Provincial Courthouse) – Signia Construction Ltd.

To request an exemption be granted from the Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 from Saturday, February 1, 2025 to Saturday, January 31, 2026 to enable Signia Construction Ltd. to continue ongoing repairs, renovations, and upgrades to the Provincial Courthouse.

• Recommendation

  THAT an exemption be granted to Signia Construction Ltd from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM Monday through Friday and alternate Sundays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM from Saturday, February 1, 2025 to Saturday, January 31, 2026 at the Provincial Courthouse located at 651 Carnavron Street for the purposes of re-roofing, adding insulation and cladding, upgrading mechanical and electrical systems, glazing, and landscaping.

4.5

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: 2126 Seventh Avenue (22nd Street SkyTrain Station)

To request an exemption from the Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to TransLink to complete recoat painting and make operational equipment modifications in preparation for the activation of longer trains to accommodate more ridership at the 22nd SkyTrain Station.

• Recommendation

  THAT an exemption be granted from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to TransLink from 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM six days per week, not including Thursdays and Statutory Holidays from Friday, January 31, 2025 to Wednesday, April 30, 2025 to complete recoat painting and make operational equipment modifications to the 22nd Street SkyTrain Station located at 2126 Seventh Avenue.

4.6

Financial Statements Audit Planning Report for the year ending December 31, 2024

To seek Council’s approval of the audit planning report from KPMG, LLP (KPMG), the city’s external auditors, for the year ending December 31, 2024.

• Recommendation

  THAT the KPMG, LLP Audit Planning Report, included as Attachment 1 to the report titled “Financial Statements Audit Planning Report for the year ending December 31, 2024,” be approved.

4.7

Revised Council Travel and Expense Policy

The purpose of this report is provide for Council’s consideration and approval a revised Travel and Expense Policy (the “Policy”) that outlines the process for payment of expenditures when the Council member is representing the City, engaging in City business and attending educational opportunities such as workshops, seminars, training programs, conferences and conventions. This report and Policy also responds to the motion that was passed at the July 8, 2024 Council meeting dealing with accountability for international travel, travel outside of the province, sponsored travel and reporting requirements to Council of the value of participation from attending the events by attendees.

• Recommendation

  THAT the updated Council Travel and Expense Policy, included as Attachment 2 to the report titled “Revised Council Travel and Expense Policy” from the Chief Administrative Officer, be approved.

4.8

Rezoning: 88 Tenth Street (Columbia Square) – Affordable Housing Legal Agreement

To request Council to authorize the Mayor and Legislative Services to execute a Section 219 Covenant between the City and Edgar Properties to secure the provision of affordable housing at 88 Tenth Street (Columbia Square), which was identified as an additional condition by Council during their deliberations at Third Reading.

• Recommendation

  THAT the Mayor and Corporate Officer be authorized to execute the Section 219 Covenant between the City and Edgar Properties to secure provision of affordable housing through redevelopment of the site at 88 Tenth St (Columbia Square) on behalf of the City.

4.9

Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001,  Amendment Bylaw (Non-Profit Housing Development) No. 8502, 2025

Report presented to Council at the Regular Council for Workshop meeting held on January 20, 2025.

• Recommendation

  THAT Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Amendment Bylaw (Non-Profit Housing Development) No. 8502, 2025 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

a.

Reference Material: January 20, 2025 Council Report

4.10

Zoning Bylaw Text Amendment: 805 Boyd Street – Bylaw for First, Second, and Third Readings

This report provides Council with information on the zoning bylaw text amendment for 805 Boyd Street and requests that Council consider the Zoning Amendment Bylaw for first, second, and third readings.

• Recommendation

  THAT Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Amendment Bylaw (805 Boyd Street) No. 8411, 2025 be introduced and given first, second, and third readings.

5.

CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

6.

MOTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND DECISION

6.1

New Westminster Hospice

Submitted by Councillor Campbell

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster is driven by the vision to be a vibrant, compassionate, resilient city where everyone can thrive.

WHEREAS the New West Hospice Society is dedicated to building a grassroots hospice initiative from the community level up, based on the Compassionate City model with a major underlying purpose to acknowledge and affirm that dying, death and grief are natural parts of the life-cycle.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of New Westminster work with the New West Hospice Society and external partners to explore potential locations for Hospice services, and to advocate to the Provincial Government for the supports required to bring adequate and compassionate end-of-life care beds to New Westminster.

6.2

Re-establishing Vancouver Canucks Outdoor Community Gatherings in New Westminster

Submitted by Councillor Minhas

WHEREAS after over 50 seasons, there remains eternal hope that our cherished Vancouver Canucks will one day bring home the cherished Stanley Cup.

WHEREAS New Westminster Canucks fans would like to have the opportunity to demonstrate their support for the team right at home rather than having to travel to Vancouver.

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster has approved funding for the purchase of large outdoor TV screens and is preparing to host public activities in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to begin preparations to host, in potential partnership with the Downtown Business Improvement Area and the New West Chamber of Commerce, a series of outdoor Canucks viewing events if they make it into the playoffs in 2025; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff report back to Council prior to March 31, 2025 with the operational and financial impacts as well as revenue generating opportunities associated with hosting outdoor/indoor Canucks playoff events

7.

NOTICES OF MOTION

7.1

Installation of Two Remembrance Day Themed Pedestrian Crosswalks in 2025

Submitted by Councillor Minhas

WHEREAS it is important for the City of New Westminster to recognize and celebrate the contributions our heroes in the military who fought to protect our freedoms.

WHEREAS other cities have chosen to reflect their appreciation of our veterans by designating select 'remembrance themed' pedestrian crosswalks.

WHEREAS New Westminster has several pedestrian crosswalks that have links directly to our veterans and the Canadian military.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to provide Council with a budget, potential sources of funding and operating impacts pertaining to the installation of two 'Remembrance Day' themed crosswalks with the goal of having them installed in time for the November 11, 2025 Remembrance Day commemoration ceremonies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the two Remembrance Day themed crosswalk locations be chosen in consultation with the local Legion and representatives from the Canadian Military.

7.2

Commemorating Royal Canadian Legion 100 Year Anniversary in 2026

Submitted by Councillor Campbell

WHEREAS the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League (later renamed to Royal Canadian Legion) was incorporated in 1926 and originally formed after the first World War to address challenges Canadian veterans faced such as unemployment, inadequate pensions, and limited support for physical and mental health issues.

WHEREAS the Royal Canadian Legion #2, established in 1926, is one of the oldest branches and today members continue to advocate for veterans' rights and contribute to broader community initiatives including, scholarships, youth programs, food insecurity programs and seniors care.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that staff liaise with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #2 to explore and recommend meaningful opportunities to commemorate the centennial milestone in 2026 to honour the Legion's tradition of helping veterans, supporting seniors, empowering youth and contributing to the broader community.

7.3

Conducting Market Value Assessment of New West Electrical Utility Assets

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster has not recently conducted an independent assessment related to the market value of the New Westminster Electrical Utility (NWEU).

WHEREAS City taxpayers and ratepayers will be required to undertake significant capital expenses and debt over the next 5 years and beyond to upgrade and maintain the equipment operated by the New Westminster Electrical Utility.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council request the New West Electrical Utility conduct an independent assessment of its current market value prior to January 2026 and the results be shared with Council; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the New West Electrical Utility Commission be requested to concurrently seek public feedback regarding potential alternate governance and operating models that can provide better value for ratepayers.

8.

NEW BUSINESS

9.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

10.

ADJOURNMENT

 

 

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